LITTLE ROCK, AR - In just one month, nearly $18 million in state and federal disaster funds have been awarded to eligible individuals and families to assist with their recovery.

Arkansans have already begun to rebuild and repair following a presidential disaster declaration on May 2, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials said Thursday. In fact, the first disaster assistance grants reached some of the state's survivors weeks ago.

"We're happy that close to $18 million is already on its way to Arkansas disaster survivors," said State Coordinating Officer David Maxwell. "With these state and federal dollars, the people of Arkansas can successfully start to recover."

The Housing Assistance and the ONA programs help eligible Arkansans who are uninsured or underinsured. The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans for home and business owners and some nonprofit agencies. The Public Assistance support was allocated for costs the Arkansas National Guard incurred while safeguarding the state's citizens and their property during the disaster.

"Delivering recovery assistance as quickly as possible - that is FEMA's number one priority in every disaster," said Federal Coordinating Nancy M. Casper. "Our partners from the state and the SBA share that sense of urgency, and we achieve that goal as one team."

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.

More than 8,300 individuals and families had registered with FEMA for assistance as of June 2. Arkansans can register three ways: at www.disasterassistance.gov, via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week, and multilingual operators are available.

More information about Arkansas disaster recovery is available at www.fema.gov or www.adem.arkansas.gov.